Chapter Fifty-One: Twins of the Shadowed Night

The scene before me gradually faded away—no more gravestones, no more anguished man, no more silver-haired little girl. In their place stood a gentle, golden-haired woman, her warm gaze fixed upon me.

“Mother,” I murmured without thinking, the words escaping my lips like a dream.

“Lilith,” the woman called my name with a tenderness that wrapped around me like a soft blanket.

“Mother.” I reached out, my hand brushing her cheek, my eyes brimming with affection.

“What’s wrong, Lilith?” she asked, stroking my hair with a loving smile.

Basking in her gentle caress, gazing at her tender face, a wave of warmth washed over me—such a nostalgic feeling. How long had it been since I last felt this way? I stood quietly, savoring the moment, reluctant to let it slip away.

“Mother, I’ve missed you so much.” I whispered, overwhelmed by this long-lost gentleness.

“Lilith, I’ve missed you too. My daughter, stay by my side. Let’s never be apart again.” Her fingers threaded through my hair as she spoke, her voice soft and soothing.

“I’m so glad to see you again, Mother. Truly glad. But why do those who’ve passed away appear before me?” My eyes were filled with longing for the warmth only she could give. “I don’t want to remember the past anymore. I no longer need those memories—they only hold me back. So I’ve already cast them aside. Mother, your daughter can walk her own path now. Please, rest in peace.”

As I spoke quietly, the scythe in my hand swept through her form.

“Lilith, my daughter, you’ve grown up. I am so proud. I can’t be with you anymore, but I’ll always bless you from afar. You must find happiness.” My mother smiled at me as her figure slowly faded away.

I gripped my scythe tightly, watching in silence as her image vanished. All around me, the scenery dissolved, leaving me once more in an endless sea of thick, white mist.

“Is that all, Illusionist?” I asked calmly.

“As expected of Princess Lilianna—you awakened from the illusion so quickly.” The Illusionist’s rueful chuckle came from within the fog. “I am curious, though—what did you see, deep within your heart?”

“Oh? Don’t you know what I saw?” I asked with interest.

“I can release the memories sealed in your heart, but what you see is known only to you. I hold the key to the room, but I cannot step inside.” The Illusionist explained.

“Even so, to force me to recall that memory... it’s unforgivable.” My voice was as cold as ice.

“It seems I’ve touched a nerve, Your Highness. Poetic justice, perhaps? Still, I didn’t expect you to pull yourself from the depths of your heart so swiftly. You must have seen the thing you desired most. Didn’t you feel any reluctance to let go?” The Illusionist sounded genuinely puzzled.

“Reluctance? Of course. But I know it’s all a lie. The dead don’t return, and what’s lost can never be regained. Longing is meaningless—no matter how much I yearn, I can’t recover what’s gone. If memories have become shackles binding me, then I’ll sever them.” My tone was steady, unwavering.

“Yes, that’s something everyone understands and wishes they could do, but few can be so decisive. Most hesitate endlessly, or else drown completely in their memories. Faced with the world they desire most, they’d rather lie to themselves than wake up. Among all I’ve seen, you’re only the third.” There was admiration in the Illusionist’s voice.

“Is that so? Then I suppose I should be honored.” My tone was cool. “So, are you prepared to die? You toyed with my memories, deceived my heart—don’t think you’ll walk away unscathed.” My voice rang out, sharp and unforgiving.

“Heh, I’m prepared for whatever comes. After all, you are the First Princess of the Bloodline. I’m not arrogant enough to think a mere Thirteenth Judge could bring you back alone.” The Illusionist’s voice drifted from the mist.

“Your Highness, it’s a pleasure to meet you at last.” Two clear, childish voices sounded from the fog. “We are the Twelfth Judge, the Night’s Twin Children: Anne Sidonia and Vivian Sidonia. We greet Princess Lilianna.” Two petite figures stood before me, hand in hand—one dressed all in black, with long white hair and a white parasol in her left hand; the other in white, with long black hair and a black parasol in her right. They smiled mischievously, mirror images of each other, identical in every way except for the colors of their clothes, hair, and parasols—even their movements were perfectly synchronized, as if reflected in a mirror.

“So it’s a trap after all. The Council’s hounds have learned to use cunning, it seems. Should I applaud you?” I said coolly.

“What choice did I have? As a non-combatant Thirteenth Judge, I had little hope of defeating you alone. The Dark Night’s Tulip isn’t renowned for nothing. My odds are better with allies. See? As I predicted, I lost quickly.” The Illusionist’s voice was tinged with amusement.

“And you think the three of you together can defeat me?” I glanced at the two children, disdainful. “You expect to overcome me with two bottom-ranked Judges? How arrogant.”

“It’s an improvement over my own odds, at least,” the Illusionist replied with a chuckle.

“Don’t underestimate us, Princess. Anne is very strong!” the girl in black laughed.

“Letting your guard down will cost you, Princess. Vivian is no slouch either,” the girl in white chimed in, grinning.

“Oh? Then show me what you’re capable of. Don’t be as irritating as that coward hiding in the mist.” I raised my scythe, smiling at them.

“Don’t worry, Princess—we won’t disappoint you,” Anne declared.

“Be careful, Princess. Vivian will make sure you’re not bored,” added the other.

“Welcome to Anne and Vivian’s playground,” the twins announced in unison, bowing hand in hand.

At their words, the scenery changed in a heartbeat. Castles, carousels, roller coasters, and even a towering Ferris wheel sprang up around me in an instant.

“Princess, we hope you enjoy your time here,” their voices echoed from above. I looked up to see a massive, half-black, half-white teddy bear looming before me, with the twins perched atop its head, still hand in hand.

“This is our friend, Teddy. Teddy is very eager to play with you, Princess,” they said, grinning impishly.

“A familiar? No, a summoning ability? That’s rare,” I observed, intrigued by the enormous plush bear standing before me.

“Yes, Princess, be careful,” Vivian warned.

“That’s right, Princess, you’d better watch out,” Anne echoed.

“We won’t hold back. We hope you’ll play with us for a long time,” the twins said together, exchanging glances and smiling. “Vivian and Anne’s game begins now!”